Georgetown, Exuma

Arrival in Georgetown Saturday, lots of fun and many cruisers.  Our friends on Discretion, Ann and Art, are leaving their boat here and flying home for awhile - we will miss them.  

Ann looking for shells on deserted beach on Stocking island, Exuma.

The bathroom at Big D's restaurant in Georgetown

Beautiful beach on Stocking Island

Cruising child having fun on the "chat 'n chill" beach

We attended a meeting for cruisers t listen to someone who has done the trip south many times give us advice.

Fun sign at the beach showing distances - Pittsburgh is on there - 1073 miles

March 14, 2013

Hoping to leave Walderick Wells tomorrow if winds below 20 kts.  Here are a few memories.

March 12, 2012  Walderick Wells. Exuma Cays, Bahamas

Main street in Alicetown, Bimini.  Ended up really liking Bimini because the people are so sweet and friendly, but it is a tired, poor area.  But we like to see where the people actually live their lives, rather than just resorts.  And it is a step back in time where everyone knows you and lives are simpler.

Three Amigos - Art, Ray, Dave

We rode in the back of a pickup truck to Edith's restaurant on Bimini.
While on a walkk earlier inn the day, she drove past us and gave us a flyer and said she would come to get us at the marina.  We were a little nervous as we did not know what the food would be like but it was delicious.  The best part is that we gave some business to a wonderfully sweet woman who is ambitious enough to go out and get some business.  She had no help, just an elderly brother-in-law who did the serving on her deck.  A unique experience.

This is a picture of our chart plotter while under way to the Exumas from Bimini.  It's a little crooked as we were sailing well - you can see SOG top left (speed over ground) is 7.6 kts/hr and that is fast sailing for us.
The picture shows our boat - the black boat-shaped icon - going through what is called "The tongue of the ocean" and this pic shows why.  We left Bimini in the morning and then at night we entered into deep water (white color) 2,000-7,000 feet from really shallow 6-20 feet (green/blue color).  The yellow areas are land - Andros island on the right, New Providence Island on the left with the circle marking Nassau.

In Bimini

In Bimini, people bake in their houses and just put a sign on the street directing people to their houses.  We bought bread from this nice lady.  They just sell right out of their kitchens.

Sunday, March 3rd, 2013

Definition of a weather window for cruisers (otherwise known as the Big Wait"):Waiting for three days of predicted high pressure with winds having no northerly component.   Why?
Because we have to cross the Gulf Stream, which is flowing north, and if it hits wind coming from the north the seas get all "kicked up'.  Since I am a sissy sailor, that is a no go.  The weather here in Florida this year has not been very cooperative.  Every day we wait for the word from the weather guru, Chris Parker, who advises us when to go.  We all refer to him as "Chris" - 'nuff said, we all know him, though have never met him.  His job is only to predict for sailors weather conditions and we trust him.  Cruisers are always saying "Chris said..."   But just to be safe we all double check with at least 3 other weather sites on the internet.   What people did before all this advice and technology, I don't know.
Anyway, planning on leaving for Bimini on Tuesday.

This is the bench seat in our main salon FILLED with food for the next few months.  When closed and cushion on it you can't even tell.  There are storage places like this all over the boat but this is the biggest.  We have 8 cases of beer stored all over the place.  Then paper goods take up a lot of room.  I know where it all is !  Ray has to depend on me.

March 7 -  Happy Birthday Charlotte

Made it to Bimini Tuesday, March 5, easy trip though light winds so had to motor the whole way.  So much fun to get in with a whole group of people.  Celebrations ensued.

Bimini in sight, beautiful clear blue water.

Remains of Earnest Hemingway's establishment

Saturday March 2, 2013

Hello from No Name Harbor in Florida.  We have been here an amazing 10-11 days - who's counting?
Of course, it is all the weather's fault.  Our weather here has been fine but we hesitated to cross over to the Bahamas due to some bad weather due there.  In hindsight, we could have done it but were afraid we would not reach a safe harbor in time to get a good place.  What happens in the cruising world is:

1)  We check various weather sites every day and discuss them at length with other cruisers.
2)  Then we figure out where to go as the winds will change and where we will end up is good for crossing -  but not for anchoring!
3)  We know everyone already in the Bahamas will head for that safe place and get all the mooring balls, leaving us to anchor out in high winds with poor holding.
4)  Alternative is marina but do we want to spend the money?
5)  Ok, lets just stay here and enjoy ourselves and be safe
6)  10 days later we are antsy & no good weather window has appeared!

So, we have explored Miami a little, had lunch at an Argentinian restaurant (great skirt steak), and had a lot of happy hours with other cruisers.  
No Name harbor is in the Bill Baggs Florida State Park in Key Biscayne.  Lots of weekend activity but quiet Mon- Friday.  We are enjoying the Hispanic culture and food, not to mention dolphins, manatees and other sea life who show up in the water around us.

Eating out with friends at the Boaters Grill at No Name Harbor.
Dina, ginny, Ann, Art, Jesse, David

Diana from GeoNova made a big pot of Broccoli soup one day, then dinghied around the anchorage to share with friends!  We just handed down a small saucepan and she ladled it in.  A sailor of many talents.

Diana also makes jewelry - here we are showing the bracelets she gave us as mementoes.
Ginny is getting into the jewelry making also. It would take too long to go into Ann's accomplishments
 I make reservations quite well.

The grilled whole fish at Boater's Grill - incredibly good.  this baby cost about $36

After a day of provisioning in Ft. Pierce - priorities?
the fun part is finding a place to stow it all - and there is a lot more stuff than this.

View of Miami river from the people mover - reminds us of the Chicago river with palm trees.

Boats at No Name Harbor. We are in the middle behind the boat with tan canvas.